HOUSEKEEPING TOOLBOX TALK
Maintain clear walkways, organised work areas and safe waste control.
Hazards, control measures and daily pre-work verification.
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Toolbox Topic
HOUSEKEEPING TOOLBOX TALK
Duration
8–10 MINUTES
Date
Site / Area
Supervisor
Company
Participants
Document No
OBJECTIVE
Review slip, trip, fall, fire and access hazards caused by poor housekeeping, waste, spills, unsafe storage and obstructed walkways, and maintain an orderly work area throughout the task.
TOPIC EXPLANATION
Housekeeping is not limited to cleaning at the end of the job. Materials, tools, cables, hoses, packaging and waste must be controlled safely throughout the work.
A small item in a walkway, an unsecured cable or an oil spill can cause a serious injury. Poor housekeeping can also block emergency exits, firefighting equipment and rescue access.
Each team is responsible for its own work area. Waste must be segregated, materials must be stored securely and unnecessary equipment must be removed as the work progresses.
REALISTIC SITE SCENARIO
A maintenance team left cable pieces, packaging and unused equipment in a platform walkway.
During the shift change, another worker entered the area, tripped over a cable and dropped equipment to a lower level.
The incident could have been prevented by keeping walkways clear, removing waste immediately and inspecting the area before handing over the shift.
REMEMBER
A clean and organised workplace does more than look professional; it prevents falls, fires, equipment damage and delays during emergencies.
KEY HAZARDS
Cables, hoses, materials and waste in walkways.
Oil, water or chemical spills.
Unsafe or unstable material storage.
Blocked emergency exits or firefighting equipment.
Sharp metal and packaging waste.
Excessive material stored on platforms or scaffolds.
Flammable waste stored in unsuitable containers.
Tools and leftover materials abandoned after work.
CONTROL MEASURES
Keep access and escape routes clear at all times.
Route cables and hoses safely.
Clean spills immediately and mark the area.
Place waste in correctly labelled containers.
Store materials securely and in a stable condition.
Keep firefighting equipment and panels accessible.
Dispose of sharp waste in suitable containers.
Avoid unnecessary material accumulation on platforms.
Inspect the work area at the end of the shift.
Correct or report poor housekeeping immediately.
SUPERVISOR TALKING SCRIPT
Team, today we will maintain good housekeeping throughout the task, not only at the end. We will not leave cables, hoses, waste or unnecessary materials in walkways. Any spill will be controlled and cleaned immediately. Emergency exits and firefighting equipment must remain accessible. Each team is responsible for its own work area.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Are today's access and escape routes completely clear?
Have cables and hoses been routed safely?
Where are the waste containers and are they correctly labelled?
Who will respond if a spill occurs?
Is firefighting equipment fully accessible?
Who will inspect the area at the end of the shift?
VERIFY BEFORE STARTING TODAY
Walkways clear
Emergency exits clear
Cables organised
Hoses routed safely
Waste containers ready
Storage stable
No spills present
Fire equipment accessible
Platforms clean
Area owner identified
ATTENDANCE AND APPROVAL
Project / Site
Date
Presented by
Work area
Attendance and Signature
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Supervisor Signature
HSE Approval
SERNEM HSE Resource — Waste management, fire safety and site procedures take priority.